What’s rawer and (literally) more underground than skating a century-old subway system? Nothing. So, with inspiration from Mandible Claw’s all-subway edits and a little wishful thinking of our own, we compiled a brief guide and phone-friendly map to some of the most technically skateable spots within the NYC subway system.

This list is by no means complete. We’re just too busy lazy to find all the skate gems lurking below. If you have any dope subway spots to share, or know of subterranean tricks we missed, hit us up in the comments or at staff@jenkemmag.com and we’ll add ’em here.

[DUMBASS DISCLAIMER: Skateboarding on MTA property is 100% illegal. You will get kicked out of all of these spots and possibly ticketed and/or arrested. If you film your encounter, just be sure to give Jenkem a shout out as they’re putting on the bracelets tho… #JenkStar baby!]

Woodhaven Blvd / Slattery Plaza: Woodhaven, Queens

Train(s): R / MType of spots: WalliesFoot traffic: Light, no real commuter trafficDocumentation: ?Security: Medium; MTA booth is directly at the spot, but far enough away that they might not hear it; no surveillance cameras at the spotAccess: Must swipe into stationDIY enhancement: No enhancement neededEscape route: Running to the nearest train is your only way outUrine scent levels: 4/10 (light urine with a hint of cleaning supplies)

Lorimer Street: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Train(s): L / GType of spots:Ramp w/ downrails, metal boxFoot traffic: High when the L train pulls inDocumentation: ?Security: High; MTA booth and a mini police office located inside the station at the bottom of the ramp, but no surveillance cameras at the topAccess: Must swipe into stationDIY enhancement: Wax for the metal boxEscape route: Potential escape entrance at the bottom of the ramp across from MTA booth, but better to run back up the ramp and down the platform to another exitUrine scent level: 6/10 (the G train’s stench is powerful)

Chamber Street: Financial District, Manhattan

Train(s): 2 / 3 / A / C / EType of spots: StairsFoot traffic: Low; lonely hallway located at the Broadway and Park exit of the 2/3 trainsDocumentation: ?Security: Mellow; not a spot that cops frequent; no MTA booth in sight; one surveillance camera looking at the spotAccess: Must swipe into stationDIY enhancement: Ski mask so the cameras won’t catch yaEscape route: Slim chance of running out to an exit, better luck hiding in the tunnelsUrine scent levels: 7/10 (hidden stairwells also make great toilets)

Broadway-Lafayette: SoHo, Manhattan

Train(s): 6 / B / D / F / MType of spots: Tons of wallie cones and some stairsFoot traffic: High during rush hourDocumentation:“Tengu: God of Mischief”Security: Mellow; slight chance of cop appearance because it’s in SoHo; MTA booth upstairs and out of sight; three surveillance cameras at the spotAccess: Must swipe into stationDIY enhancement: Just be sure to know how to wallieEscape route: Easily take the stairs on the opposite side as the MTA boothUrine scent levels: 2/10 (rich people’s pee smells decent)

14th Street & 6th Avenue: West Village, Manhattan

Train(s): 1 / 2 / 3 / LType of spots:Ramp with wall railsFoot traffic: High when the L train pulls into the stationDocumentation: “Tengu: God of Mischief”Security: Moderate; MTA booth at top of the ramp; 2 surveillance cameras at the spotAccess: Must swipe into stationDIY enhancement: Buddies to keep pedestrians outta your wayEscape route: You’re already bombing downhill, just keep going down the hallway and make a run for the exit from the L platformUrine scent levels: 7/10 (it’s got that “old New York” scent, mmm!)

23rd St & Park Ave Station: Gramercy Park, Manhattan

Train(s): 6Type of spots:Two sets of stairsFoot traffic: LowDocumentation: “Tengu: God of Mischief”Security: Cops are a slight possibility; MTA booth on the uptown side of the station; no surveillance camerasAccess: FreeDIY enhancement: Change of clothes, this is the dirtiest station on the list.Escape route: Unless you’re cornered from all sides, take one of the three stairways out and you’re goodUrine scent levels: 8/10 (seems like the perfect station to piss at)

68th Street–Hunter College: Midtown, Manhattan

Train(s): 6Type of spots:Woodenmanny padsFoot traffic: If people are sitting on the benches, skate flatground until they get annoyed and leaveDocumentation: ?Security: High; MTA booth right across from the spot; cops frequent the area; no surveillance camerasAccess: Must swipe into stationDIY enhancement: Bring a friend to distract the MTA workers for a few more triesEscape route: Best of luck catching a 6 train, otherwise plead ignorantUrine scent levels: 6/10 (care-free lurkers and failing college students don’t care that MTA staff can watch them tinkle)

145th St & Amsterdam Ave: Hamilton Heights, Manhattan

Train(s): A / C / B / DType of spots:LegendarysubwaytrackgapFoot traffic: LowDocumentation: “Tengu: God of Mischief”Security: Mild; signs in the station point toward an NYPD Station on premises, but it’s probably not staffed outside of rush hour; no MTA booth or surveillance cameras in sightAccess: Must swipe into stationDIY enhancement: A piece of wood or metal sign to lay over the yellow bumps on the landingEscape route: This station is so big and cavernous you should have no problem slipping away from disgruntled public servantsUrine scent levels: 2/10 (not bad; don’t pee on it and blow out the spot)

Shlepping and Scoping: Larry Lanza & Nic Dobija-Nootens
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